# and Phinehas ... was serving before the ark in those days

This is background information that the author inserted to help the reader understand how the people asked Yahweh for an answer. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# was serving before the ark

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "was serving as priest before the ark" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# Attack

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "Attack the army of Benjamin" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])